Issue 1
Friday 1st September 2017
Welcome to the 91st
Reunion! Welcome one and all to Gilwell Reunion 2017! This year marks the 91st Annual Reunion gathering, and once again it’s going to be an event jam-packed with opportunities to network, converse, learn, and have fun with other volunteers away from your young people. This year’s event goes back to basics, with a big increase in the number of workshops, activity training sessions and
seminars on offer to all. You’ll no doubt notice a change of site layout too, which will allow far more programme opportunities to take place! The 2017 Reunion ethos fits in with both the feedback from all of you in previous years, as well as the spirit of the very first Reunion in 1919. To provide adult volunteers with the tools they need to provide an amazing
programme, whilst also providing a bit of a break and some fun for leaders! So, with that in mind, let this year’s Gilwell Reunion be the event where you finally get the chance to learn about running an activity you’ve always wanted to do, have the discussions you’ve always wanted to have, or meet new friends from an area of the country, or the world, that you’ve always wanted to go!
The Reunion Express will be your handy guide to the event, with four issues coming out over the weekend. Keep an eye out for a copy, as we’ll be keeping you in the loop on what’s going on around site at Gilwell Park, some of the highlights that we’ve seen so far, and the things to look forward to. From the volunteer newspaper team, we hope you have a marvellous weekend!
Friday 1 Sep 2017
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Reunion Express
To prepare for the future, we must first look into the past We took a few minutes of UK Chief Commissioner, Tim Kidd’s precious time to ask him about the consultation process for beyond Vision 2018 and his thoughts on his first year in role. Over the weekend you will have the opportunity to speak to various people and explore the concepts behind The Scout Association’s next strategic vision. There are resources available for Districts and Counties to take home to continue the conversations and ensure local engagement and feedback before the consultation ends and the new vision is formally launched in Spring 2018. Tim explained that the vision towards 2023 is all about building on the success of 2018. “There is no denying the success of [Vision] 2018 as we’ve increased our numbers, increased our diversity and much more besides, but as with all these things there is always much more to do”. The next vision will focus on three key themes; Programme – our key element, People – how we go about supporting adult and youth members and finally Perception – how do we help the outside world understand who we are and what we do. The ongoing consultation has been taking place for several months with thousands of adults and young people taking part. Feedback was gathered at Summit17 alongside feedback from focus groups and online questionnaires. Further information will soon be available online and in Scouting Magazine. Members are still encouraged to submit their feedback
on the points that matter to them. When asked why visions are still relevant Tim said “Strategic Vision ensures there are choices to make.” Tim went on to explain that scouting didn’t used to have visions. Visions work and haven’t just increased membership. Tim views them “as important as a route plan and map so everyone knows where we are going”. The aim
of Vision 2023 is build on the successful work of 2018 and acknowledge how far we have come as a movement. This weekend sees the first anniversary of Tim becoming UK Chief Commissioner. We asked Tim if amongst his whistle stop first year there were any highlights to reflect upon. “Highlights remain for me some of the visits to events and activities where you see this unrivalled passion from
adults to create this magic for young people. Just to make young people’s lives better is so impressive.” Tim looks forward to continuing to visit and meet with adults and young people whose scouting passion drives them to push the movement forward and encompass vision 2023. All photos come from Tim’s twitter account
Reunion Express
What’s going on the next 12 hours
So you’ve made it to Reunion 2017! Once you pitch your tent and gathered your friends it’s time to go out and explore. With so much on offer why not sit back and relax and plan your weekend. Event reception is open
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until 23:00 where you can register that you have arrived, collect your event guide and any merchandise you might have ordered. For those who are here for the party atmosphere – the Lid bar opens at 19:00
Friday 1 Sep 2017 while The Queen’s Squiffy Woggle Pub opens on Essex Chase at 20:45. The official opening welcome is in The Lid at 20:30. For those who wish to dance the night away there will be three DJ sets in The Lid as well as a Barn Dance! For those who prefer a slower pace on a Friday night head over to the Chill-Out zone or Cinema, both of which are hosted in the CIC. Everything will close down by midnight so you can all get that well-earned beauty sleep ahead of Saturday’s adventures. For the early birds who have pre-booked activities these start at 09:15 on Saturday morning. All other activities will open by 10:00. Don’t forget The Scout Association AGM is at 11:00 in the Eagle Marquee on the Training Ground.
Leading from the front, Team UK are here to help Do you have a burning question which no fact sheet can answer? Never met your national commissioner? Over the weekend the team of commissioners (AKA Team UK) who provide leadership and management support across the country will be popping up around Gilwell. On Saturday look out for: Kester Sharpe, Deputy UK Chief Commissioner, Gareth Watson, Chief Commissioner Wales and Sam Morris, Chief Commissioner England who will be in the Rainbow Café on the training ground between 10.00am and11.00am. Tim Kidd, UK Chief Commissioner, Graham Haddock, Chief Commissioner Scotland, Jack Maxton, International Commissioner, Alex Minajew, Chair of the
Get in touch and be in the newspaper
We want to share everything you go through this weekend, hear all about your fantastic adventures and see what you see - and there’s so many ways for you to get in touch! We have reporters and photographers on site, so feel free to say hi. Celebrating a birthday or anniversary? Drop us a text message or a note into one of the suggestion boxes on site - These are at Scout Radio at Camp Square, The Whitehouse Reception or the Rainbow Cafe on the Training Ground run by FLAGS. (You can also find the newspapers at these locations!) Think you have a fantastic story? Get in touch! We’re on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram so you can share all the fun with us - and those who are missing out! All our details are on the back page - we look forward to hearing from you!
Congratulations to Karl and Jenny from the Scafell ASU on their recent engagement, From all your friends from Scafell, QSWP and everyone from across Gilwell! Safety Committee, Mark Tarry, Deputy UK Chief Commissioner and Craig Turpie, UK Commissioner Programme will take their turn in the Rainbow Café between 4.00pm and 5.00pm on Saturday afternoon. By Sunday morning everyone will be in need of some quiet time. So
head over to the Chill & Chat zone on the Training Ground from 10.00 to 12noon to find Tim Kidd, UK Chief Commissioner and Alex Peace-Gadsby, Chief Commissioner England, while Amir Cheema, UK Commissioner for Adult Support will be around until 1pm.
Friday 1 Sep 2017
Weather for tonight and tomorrow
Throughout Friday there is the chance of scattered showers, although this should clear for the evening. A dry night and a clear morning lies ahead, but clouding over in the afternoon. Highs of 17°c for Friday, and 19°c for Saturday.
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Reunion Express
The soundtrack to your Reunion! Scout Radio returns to Gilwell Reunion once again in 2017 – this time, offering a full FM radio station you can tune into on and off-site from morning til night. Scout Radio will be broadcasting on 87.9fm and online, from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon providing coverage of the entire event. You can drop in to see the team in the camp square. Here you can stop and talk to the team about what they can offer you, your group or even your event as well as make requests for your favourite tunes to be played on air. Follow them on social media to get regular updates
and head to scoutradio.org. uk/reunion to listen again and get more even more content. Badge collector? The team have recently bought a Caravan as a mobile studio. They have had special
badges created as part of the fundraising campaign to make the new mobile studio ready to tour. These special, limited edition badges are available to buy at Reunion 2017 for £3 each.
Whispers from the Web
Your tweets, pictures and comments
Jagz Bharth @jagzbharth Looking forward to @GilwellReunion this weekend! A weekend full of fun and adventure with fellow volunteers from across the uk #iscout
Amanda Harrison @aemh71 All set for @GilwellReunion 37th Chingford linking with Reiverdale Scout Leaders Jay Thompson Thompsontravels It’s nearly time for @gilwellreunion! Here’s a very tired but happy looking photo from Sunday afternoon last year! Whose going to be there? I will be running 2 workshops on the Saturday about Adventure & programme. Make sure your there! #scouts #gilwellreunion
@GilwellReunion
Gee Swan @georginaswan7 Can’t wait for this time next week when I’ll hopefully be arriving at @GPconferences for @GilwellReunion for my first time there! Rhiannon Wells @rhiannon_wells Ticket booked coming for you
Flights booked #NIRepresent
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/GilwellReunion
Gilwellreunion@gmail.com
@GilwellReunion 07950 737900
Reunion Express 2017 was brought to you by; Team lead; Sarah Paget - Staff Support; Sara Reboredo Production by James Hage - Reporting and Photography by Lizzie Harvey, George Wormald-Kelly and Daniel Haigh Online Edition
@GilwellReunion I’m